Weight Loss Surgery Costs
Weight loss surgery costs and associated fees are made up of several components:
- Hospital charges for bed stay
- Hospital charges for operating theatre session
- Equipment used in the operating theatre session.
This includes the:- Gastric band itself or for other weight loss devices such as stapling
- Professional fees charged by the surgeon, anaesthetist and surgeon assistants
Patients with an appropriate level of private health insurance cover will find most hospital and equipment charges will incur a “no gap” fee. The out of pocket expenses for insured patients relate mostly to professional and clinic fees charged by the surgeon, anaesthetist and their assistants.
Occasionally, in your operation, there may be certain equipment used which is “non-rebateable,” such as the lap band device.
Private Health Insurance
INSURED
Most health funds cover bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, however you will usually need to be in a high level of cover. To check, simply contact your health fund and quote the relative surgery “item numbers” listed below.
| Sleeve Gastrectomy | Item No. 31575 |
| Gastric Band | Item No. 31569 |
| Gastric Bypass | Item No. 31572 |
| Revisional Surgery | |
| • Band to Sleeve | Item No. 31584 & 31575 |
| • Band to Bypass | Item No. 31584 & 31572 |
NOT INSURED
If you are NOT INSURED for weight loss surgery, you still have the option to either upgrade your level of insurance so you are covered or find a new insurer that will provide the appropriate cover. In most cases, the insurance company will apply a waiting period of 12 months to qualify you for surgery.
When you decide to have bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, there are things you need to do to prepare for the surgery. We can help you set a plan for how best to use the 12 month waiting period to be ready for your surgery.
Weight Loss Surgery costs
Sleeve Gastrectomy (Item no. 31575)
| INSURED | |
| Surgeon & Assistant (out of pocket) | $4,500 |
| Anaesthetist (rebate after surgery) | $1,750 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $6,250 |
| UNINSURED | |
| Surgeon & Assistant (out of pocket) | $6,500 |
| Anaesthetist (rebated after surgery) | $1,750 |
| Hospital (including bed,theatre,band) | $16,900 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $25,150 |
Gastric Bypass (Item No. 31572)
| INSURED (not available to uninsured patients) | |
| Surgeon & Assistant (out of pocket) | $5,000 |
| Anaesthetist (rebated after surgery) | $1,750 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $6,750 |
Gastric Band (Item no. 31569)
| INSURED | |
| Surgeon & Assistant Surgeon out of pocket | $4,000 |
| Anaesthetist (rebate after surgery) | $1,250 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $5,250 |
| NOT INSURED | |
| Surgeon, Assistant & Anaesthetist | $5,400 |
| Hospital (including bed, theatre, band) | $9,190 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $14,590 |
| Gastric Band to Sleeve (Item No. 31584 & 31575)
Gastric Band to Bypass ((Item No. 31584 & 31572)) |
|
| OUR PATIENTS – Band to Sleeve or Band to Bypass | |
| Surgeon & Assistant Surgeon out of pocket | $2,700 |
| Anaesthetist (rebate after surgery) | $2,750 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $5,450 |
| PATIENTS FROM OTHER SURGEONS – Band to Sleeve or Band to Bypass | |
| Surgeon & Assistant surgeon our of pocket | $5,700 |
| Anasthetist (rebate after surgery) | $2,750 |
| TOTAL COST TO PATIENT: | $8,450 |
Prices are subject to change.
Consultation fees
| Initial Consult | $180* |
| Review Consult | $100* |
*Rebateable from Medicare
Accessing Superannuation
From July 2018, Government changes to Early Withdrawal Application processes for Early Super Release for medical procedures indicate you MAY no longer find accessing Super for Surgery a viable option. Also ensure you seek financial advice regarding tax implications.
Visit the NEW LINK on the ATO site (updated 20-21 June 2018):